For the past seven seasons, Mark Andrews has been the guy in the Baltimore Ravens' passing game. He’s been Lamar Jackson’s most trusted target, a leader in the locker room, and one of the best tight ends in the league. But after Eric DeCosta’s latest comments, there’s suddenly real uncertainty about whether Andrews will be on the Ravens’ roster in 2025.
Heading into the offseason, Andrews’ future was already a talking point. His $16 million cap hit makes him one of the highest-paid tight ends in the league, and Baltimore already has another rising talent at the position in Isaiah Likely. Still, the assumption was that the Ravens would find a way to keep their top weapon.
Of course, his 2024 season didn’t end on the highest note—his failed two-point conversion attempt in the Divisional Round loss to Buffalo was a brutal moment in an otherwise stellar career. But no one play defines a player of his caliber, and it certainly wouldn’t be the deciding factor in his future. That’s why when DeCosta was asked directly about Andrews, his answer didn’t exactly sound reassuring.
DeCosta’s comments sound more like a goodbye than a guarantee
DeCosta didn’t come out and say Andrews is gone, but he didn’t commit to keeping him either. Here’s exactly what he said when asked about the tight end’s future:
“Mark is a great player…. Mark will be in a ring of honor someday. I love having him on the team. We’ll figure out all the roster machinations in the coming weeks but nobody is a bigger Mark Andrews fan than me.”
DeCosta on Andrews: “Mark is a great player…. Mark will be in a ring if honor someday. I love having him on the team. We’ll figure out all the roster mechinations in the coming weeks but nobody is a bigger Mark Andrews fan than me.”
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) February 25, 2025
That’s not a statement you make about someone who’s definitely staying. That’s the kind of response that usually means a tough decision is coming. If the Ravens were set on keeping Andrews, DeCosta could have just said that. Instead, we got what felt like an appreciative farewell that could signal Andrews has already played his last snap for Baltimore.
The situation is complicated. Andrews is still one of the best tight ends in the NFL. When healthy, he’s been a game-changer for Baltimore, and his connection with Jackson has been a cornerstone of the offense. If he’s gone, the Ravens lose the franchise's all-time leader in receiving touchdowns and Jackson's favorite target and security blanket.
But on the other hand, Andrews turns 30 next season and has dealt with injuries in back-to-back years. His $16 million cap hit is significant, and Baltimore could save $11 million in cap space by moving on. With Likely showing real potential, the Ravens may feel they have a younger, cheaper option already in place.
Right now, nothing is certain. DeCosta didn’t outright say Andrews was on his way out, but he also didn’t shut down the possibility. That leaves the door open for speculation—and if Baltimore decides to make a move, DeCosta’s comments may have been the first sign that a major change is coming.